Nemanja Bjelica teased Warriors fans on opening night.
In that October contest against the Los Angeles Lakers, his first after signing a veteran minimum deal, the rangy shooter dropped 15 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. It had Dub Nation thinking of occasional double-doubles off the bench from the veteran, who only managed to play sparingly in 37 games the previous season. Instead, Bjelica’s 2021-22 campaign has been plagued by inconsistency.
The 33-year-old stretch big man is averaging 6.0 points, 4.1 rebounds and 0.8 3-pointers made per game while shooting 35.9 percent from beyond the arc and dealing with back issues. But on Sunday night in Sacramento, Bjelica turned in his finest effort as a Warrior. Bjelica set season highs with 19 points and 12 rebounds while recording his first double-double since opening night.
When watching the video clip above, check out Draymond Green’s reaction off the bench. He loved seeing Beli hit a 3-pointer, as part of seven quick points he scored to begin the second quarter. He made 3-of-6 from distance and recorded his first double-digit scoring game since Jan. 25.
“Coaches, they trust me,” Bjelica said.” They told me, whenever I’m open to shoot it. Sometimes I like to create especially in the post. I also feel comfortable like that. But when I’m open I’m going to shoot the ball, of course.”
As much as Beli probably appreciates Draymond’s support with the bench, he’d rather be sharing the floor with him. Bjelica was exposed on defense by opposing bigs while Green was sidelined for two months and it affected his offensive rhythm. Now he’s fitting into a stretch five role on offense while guarding opposing power forwards, which is a better matchup as opposed to centers.
“Today when I was playing with Draymond, I was playing at the five but guarding four,” Bjelica said. “We just switched it on offense or defense. He helps everybody, not just me. He helps everybody with him and also Andre [Iguodala], when he is on the court, I look way better. That’s good for me also. I can play my game and I feel more confident.”
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Bjelica played in 149 games with 137 starts for the Kings from 2018-20 but fell out of the rotation for coach Luke Walton. Eventually, the Kings traded Bjelica to the Miami Heat, but he said he has no hard feelings toward Sacramento.
It might have looked like a revenge game, but it didn’t feel like one.
“I always feel good playing here in this arena, especially in front of Kings fans,” Bjelica said. “I think they still like me. I spent almost three years here. The way how I left, I thought we were gonna build something. It’s all about business, but I have a lot of friends here. It’s always good to come back.”
When the Warriors signed Bjelica, they were allured by his shooting but also his handle and playmaking ability for a guy listed at 6-foot-9. On Sunday night, he also dished six assists.
“Beli was really key with his playmaking, rebounding and knocking down some threes” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said.
If role players like Bjelica, Otto Porter Jr., Jonathan Kuminga Gary Payton II and Iguodala are clicking and trustworthy in playoff situations, Kerr would have multiple looks to throw at opposing teams throughout a series.
